PETITION AGAINST THE REMOVAL OF THE THREE DAY WAIT PERIOD PRIOR TO ABORTION
Last year, there were 10,852 abortions in Ireland. This is the highest figure on record. It is equivalent to 400 classrooms of children who are no longer here with us today as a result of the abortion law. It is heartbreaking.
So far this year, there have been three separate abortion bills before the Dáil.
An abortion is a massive decision. It is irreversible. It can lead to a lifetime of regret for mothers. For any big decisions in our lives, reflection is key. There are very few elective procedures that can be done in a day. You can’t get a mole removed, have cosmetic surgery or be sterilised without a wait to reflect on the decision.
Over 10,000 mothers who attended the first abortion appointment did not proceed with an abortion.
Women who decided to have an abortion changed their minds during the mandatory three-day wait period. There are thousands of children alive today as a result of the three-day wait.
When the Abortion Review was being discussed in the Health Committee, Aontú TD Peadar Tóibín asked the Chair of that Review a direct and important question. Before recommending that the three-day wait be abolished, had she spoken to any of the women who went to a first abortion appointment, took the three days to think, changed their minds, and kept their babies. She said no! That was an incredible admission.
The author of the report which recommended removal of the wait period never spoke to any woman who had availed of the three day waiting period.
We the undersigned, recognise that Simon Harris’ promise and assurance that there would be a three-day waiting period in the law was a major factor in many people voting to repeal the 8th amendment in 2018.
Now he is u-turning on that promise. The public have not voted for removing the three day wait period. There is no protest or major campaign and no public appetite for the removal of the three day wait period.
It protects women, and protects children.
We the undersigned, call on the government to vote No to this legislation, and to keep the three day wait period in the law.